1950’s Sock Hop Party Decorations | DIY Tutorial

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My youngest celebrated Valentine’s Day with a school-wide 1950’s Sock Hop Valentine’s Dance. It was so much fun and a terrific theme for all ages. I was tasked with the decorations for the dance. Using my imagination and a little help from Pinterest I came up with some fun and easy decorations. These are perfect for any age group, party, season, or reason to gather. To make the dance more authentic, parents and students dressed in a 1950’s style. Boys came in their faux leather jackets and letterman sweaters, rolled jeans, and tee-shirts. Girls were styled out in ponytails, swing dresses, and petticoats, topped off with saddle shoes. The parents joined the fun in 1950’s dresses, hair, makeup, and greaser looks.

The two decorations that received the highest praise were the faux vinyl records and ice cream soda center pieces. I am sharing with you how to make each of these for your next 1950’s inspired party.

1950’s Sock Hop Decorations

Faux Vinyl Records

These are very easy to make, quick, and inexpensive compared to actual 45’s or items from the party store. They were a huge hit at our dance and added to the authenticity of the party theme. Hang these on the walls or dangle from the ceiling.

Supplies:

10″ Black Plastic Plates (I bought mine here)

CD-Rom labels (purchased here)

Ink-jet or color laser printer

Go to Avery.com/media to start a project. I created an account to save my labels for future use but you have the option to download your finished record labels.

Type in your product number.

Find your product on the list. Click “Design Online”

A variety of CD-Rom label designs opens for review. Select anything that you like. Click “Next” in the upper right corner.

You can customize in the next step.

The design screen opens with the template you selected. Here you can add elements, text, change colors, and move objects. Play around in this screen to get the look you desire.

To create a more authentic record label, I searched the internet for specific records. From there I selected type styles, text placement, and colors that mimicked the original. However, I didn’t copy the exact label. Rather I used it to create a unique label that had a 1950’s vibe.

You can add images from your computer, the Avery library, or Google. Experiment with different type faces and colors to get that custom look.

When finished click “Preview & Print” in the upper right corner. A print preview screen opens. If yo like what you see click “Save”. You have the option to save to your My Avery account or download to your computer.

Select a print method. I chose to print labels myself. You have the option for Avery printing services. You can also have your label design printed on other products.

Once the labels are printed, carefully place them in the middle of the plates. If hanging the plates, punch a hole in the outer edge.

Here is the finished product. I think they turned out great.

Ice Cream Soda Centerpieces

I adore these centerpieces. From the feedback I received, everyone at the dance loved them too.

All supplies were purchased at my local Dollar Store and thrift store.

Supplies

Vintage-looking soda glasses or ice cream sundae glasses

Clear marbles (1 bag for 2 glasses)

Faux pink and white carnations (6 pink and 1 white per glass)

Red pom-pom

Straws

Hot glue gun

Wire cutters

Vinyl albums

Fill each sundae glass about 1/2 to 3/4 full with glass marbles. Cut 6 pink and 1 white carnations about the height of the glass. Insert the pink carnations around the rim of the glass. Place white carnation in the center.

Hot glue 1 red pom pom to the white carnation. This creates the cherry on the ice cream soda.

Insert a straw.

Place one ice cream soda on a vinyl album in the center of the table.

There you have it. A fun, inexpensive table centerpiece to add more fun to your 1950’s party!